Obamanomics

Obamanomics. Its 2:25 AM and I couldn't sleep. Obamanomics is not necessarily what was keeping me awake, but it seemed to be the word that kept coming to mind. For some reason, as I tossed and turned, I kept thinking that I was going to coin that term. The link above would indicate that at least 212,000 people thought of it before me.

The funny thing is I am less concern with his fiscal policy than some other things, its just that that was the word that popped into my sleepless mind and wouldn't leave. I'll admit it. I'm totally winging it here. I am not a political scientist. I am not an economist. I am not even "Joe the Plumber..." I am a lifelong Republican. Always a fiscal conservative. Previously a somewhat social liberal, but more and more conservative on the social side as well.

For those of you who don't know me and stumble upon this, I am also a registered voter in the state of Illinois. Mr. Obama was my Senator. No I did not vote for him (ever).

I think that the thing that is keeping my awake is fear. I am afraid of the fact that I almost like this guy. I say almost... because I don't. BUT, there is something about him. Several have claimed that he is the Antichrist. Snopes is certainly not an authority on the subject, but then again, neither am I. However, there are people that I know and respect that share my concern.

Let's be clear, Obama is no "Slick Willy", another guy that far too many people found likable and some even thought to be believable. Barack, in my opinion does seem to possess a bit more character than former President Clinton. I also believe that his motives are a little more genuine than our last democratic president. However, I am really getting tired of the whole Lincoln thing! Obama is NOT Lincoln, duh. The whistle-stop tour today. The Lincoln Bible for the inauguration. That whole thing makes me want to gag.

This is a case where for the sake of our great nation, the United States of America, I hope that I am wrong. I hope that my gut feeling; the feeling that there is something just "not right" about this guy, is totally wrong. I'll go on record right now as saying that if 4 years from now, or heaven forbid, 8 years from now, we are preparing to inaugurate our NEXT president, and the country is Significantly better off, I'll be the first to admit that he was everything that people are hoping he is.

Its taken me nearly a half hour to compose these thoughts and I'd like to say that I am tired and ready to go to sleep. But I can't. "I have a bad feeling about this..."

A Job year?

If you believe everything that the press tells you, you probably find yourself in one of two camps. The first is that 2009 is going to be bad, very BAD. If you are a little more optimistic or perhaps a Democrat, you may believe that Mr. Obama is the savior and that he is going to come in and FIX everything.

As for me, I believe neither. My good friend Arlin has been in the book of Job for nearly three weeks now. As I read his devotional this morning, it occurred to me that we (WE is a group that is expanding by the moment) may be in for a Job experience.

I'll digress for a moment and proclaim that I am currently being blessed by circumstances that can only be attributed to answered prayer. My business, Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. is on track to have our best single month in the 12 year history of the company. For a year now I have been praying my version of The Prayer of Jabez, and it would seem like God IS expanding my territory. I remind myself daily that "The Lord giveth…and the Lord taketh away", so for now I am extremely grateful for what He has given.

Back to the big picture. 2008 saw a reversal of fortune for many... MANY people. We all know someone who was "riding high." Life was good and everything seemed to be going their way. BOOM! Out of nowhere, they were knocked off their horse. For some, it was a minor setback and they may have already "gotten back in the saddle", perhaps riding a bit slower, but riding none the less. For others, their horse may have run off, leaving them to walk. Yet others still suffered injury in the fall... in some cases, significant injury. Some may never fully recover.

So, what does this all mean? I guess that it depends. If you are a Christian, I'd suggest that you go back and Read the book of Job. How does your life align with Job's? What can you learn from Job? Job aside, what do we know about God? God is GOOD! He is good in the best of times. He is good in the worst of times. The only thing that ever really changes is US. God is always the same.

If your not a Christian, I'd suggest that you go back and Read the book of Job. How does your life align with Job's? What can you learn from Job? Seriously, whether you believe in God or not, there is some real wisdom contained in the book of Job. Otherwise, what option do you have? Think that you can work it all out on your own? Think that Obama with "fix" everything? Let me know how that works for you! Let's meet back here in a year and compare notes. ;-)